Japan Vacations

Japan

Japan is a country in East Asia and is located in the Pacific Ocean. It has the Sea of Japan on one side, and to the west are the nations of China, North Korea, South Korea, and Russia. Over 3,000 islands form the nation of Japan and it is an archipelago. The largest and most famous of these islands are Shikoku, Kyushu, Honshu, and Hokkaido. These islands account for over 96 percent of the Japan land mass. Most of the islands are a result of volcanic activity. In fact, the highest peak in Japan is the Mount Fuji volcano.

The Japanese have the eighth highest standard of living in the world. Japan is a world leader in machinery, electronics, robotics, and technology. It is a constitutional monarchy where the role of the emperor is very limited and mostly ceremonial. There are many things to do and see in Japan, and you should plan a trip at least a couple weeks long in order to see everything that Japan has to offer.

Tokyo

Tokyo is the seat of the Japanese government, and the Imperial Palace of Japan is located there. It is one of 47 prefectures of Japan, and is located on the Japanese Island of Honshu. More than 35 million people reside in the greater Tokyo area.

There are several museums and national parks in Tokyo, including Tokyo National Museum, Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi National Park, Ogasawara National Park, and Ueno Park. These are some of the most beautifully landscaped and kept up areas in all of Japan, and they reflect the culture and the diversity of the different types of plants in Japan.

First time visitors to Tokyo, should take a walking tour of the city, and investigate the different architectural styles. Tokyo faces a constant threat of earthquakes; as a result, many of the buildings in the city are low in height.

Tokyo is always the setting for many Japanese movies, television shows, animated series, web comics, and comic books. Many Hollywood directors have turned to Tokyo as a filming location for movies set in Tokyo.

Osaka

Osaka is the capital of the Osaka Prefecture. It is situated at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, on the main Japanese Island of Honshu. It is considered the gourmet food capital of Japan. Regional cuisine in Osaka includes okonomiyaki (pan-fried batter cake), takoyaki (octopus dumplings), udon (a noodle dish), and the traditional battera sushi.

In Osaka, there are a large number of shrines. Most Japanese people are either Shintoists or Buddhists. Osaka is also home to the National Bunraku Theatre, where traditional bunraku are performed. The Tenjin-matsuri is one of the most famous festivals held in Osaka on July 24 and 25 every year.

The National Museum of Art (NMAO), Osaka Science Museum, the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka Municipal Museum of Art, the Osaka Maritime Museum, the Osaka Museum of History, the Osaka Castle, and the Osaka Museum of Natural History are the other places of interest to visit.